... having been on the books of Portsmouth and Southampton in the top flight.
Why Pompey, with all their defensive troubles this season, refused to include him in their squad has many wondering 'why?'
He was as solid as a rock against Forest on Monday, and he looked as though he had partnered Coloccini for years.
Some have suggested he doesn't get on with certain players at the club, and he does seem to take a lot of stick when things go wrong.
He has taken verbals from several senior players ... on the field of play ... although Alan Smith has gone on record as saying it is nothing more than "banter".